mauibabes

@JayneE We have hit and missed Amalfi several times, it is always a weather issue along the Amalfi coast. Same for Sorrento. We were diverted to Naples but were still able to get our private tour to meet us there and take us back to Ravello and Amalfi. Absolutely beautiful views from Villa Ruffolo in Ravello. We would love to take in an evening with a Summer Concert there one day. 🙏👍. Bring your lucky whatever along on your trip. 🙏🤞 Mauibabes

Nicely said Gary 😇 Based on all your posts that I have read, Yes you do a lot of Strategic Planning 👍👍👍. Regrets to OH for their experience and as you said, cruising is not for everyone, just as I would not be comfortable traveling as OH said he likes to travel. Keep posting and I look forward to reading of your preparation and execution of your plan. Since this Board has “exploded”, I am sure some how, some way it has come to the attention of Oceania and just because we may not see any specific words on this subject from Oceania, they have heard the “roar”. Mauibabes

Even before FP I do believe but have not booked LR before, just Prive. They are using Prive for the paired gourmet dinners and it is quite elegant. There is a semi private large table for 8 or maybe 10 in Toscana where you could get wine paired dinners as well, not sure if paired meals available in Polo. FYI, Red Ginger was it’s usual wonderful self with a bit of a new look. I could be off on some of this as our short trip on Vista did not allow for total immersion into her specifics, need more cruises on her 😇 Mauibabes.

@DrBruce We were on the Founder’s Cruise in an PH but farther forward and heard no complaints from guests about TC noise. Going One step farther, we are in 11073 October 16 so I will post a comment only if there are issues, otherwise No News is Good News. I did a lot of looking/checking before I selected 11073 with its extended Veranda and we expect none 🙏🙏👍 Enjoy your cruise. Mauibabes

@Eloise4Ever FYI, the Bulgari products are not junk, actually pretty pricy 💰 if you check them out. The Shampoo is excellent, I know a couple who on a long cruise several years ago brought back the equivalent of a years supply because they loved them so much. Enjoy the cruise and report if you find the ultimate GOOD cookie.😇👍 Mauibabes

In Ketchikan, do a “Flightseeing” trip to the fjords, BEAUTIFUL. The port call in Hoonah, Icy Point Straight is pretty cool too. Go and enjoy, Mauibabes

Nicely said Gary 😇 Based on all your posts that I have read, Yes you do a lot of Strategic Planning 👍👍👍. Regrets to OH for their experience and as you said, cruising is not for everyone, just as I would not be comfortable traveling as OH said he likes to travel. Keep posting and I look forward to reading of your preparation and execution of your plan. Since this Board has “exploded”, I am sure some how, some way it has come to the attention of Oceania and just because we may not see any specific words on this subject from Oceania, they have heard the “roar”. Mauibabes

Sit down with the O Club Ambassador as early as possible and book your Vista cruise. Based on my experience from 3 weeks ago on her, “JUST DO IT”. The longer you wait the more Staterooms are sold. He/She will explain everything and yes there are definite benefits on that cruise and the current one you are on. Just Enjoy and know that an On Board Booking is a MUST if you are planning an O cruise. The $250 pp Deposit is a real benefit too. Mauibabes

@meg1021 i was just sharing from my experiences as we want any O cruiser to enjoy themselves on any cruise because, believe it or not, they really do want to excel and for you to return often. Routinely about 60% of the guests aboard are past guests and no line wants a “one and done” passenger experience. While we have sailed Oceania many times over the years, we have had some of those difficult experiences. HVAC issues like yours and yes they had to make adjustments for the climate changes regularly on some cruises. When we were in Antarctica in January on Marina, our system needed tweaking more than once. We had one room that the fan ran 24/7 and could never be shut off. We have found that no matter what ship we sail, there is “no one size fits all” temperature setting. We were on Riviera, 2021, in a PH, 11065 which is off the entrance between the TC and Waves. Amazingly noisy throughout the night from doors slamming and staff traffic preparing for the days dining, DW was in tears from sleep deprivation. We complained and were relocated for 30 days but had to move back to the room because the ship was full on the 16 day Transatlantic segment and our new room was occupied on the next segment. The Noise was better but not perfect but they tried hard and we visited daily with our new best friend, the Food and Beverage Director, as the noise issue was in her area of responsibility. SHE CARED! Oh, and our new PH, halfway thru our 30 day stay, some guests down the way from us stopped up the sewer line with a hand towel. So yes it was intentional and guess who’s toilet backed up and overflowed, TWICE? 🤬 You could say it “hit the fan” but they were on it and we were also compensated with lots of SBC. We truly felt sorry for our Room Steward who had the clean up job 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 OMG it stunk! I could go on but no need, you get the drift. Share your concerns and let them step up. We have found Mid cruise surveys usually generate immediate follow up from management but sometimes the upper management team can also drop the ball or might even be unable to rectify a specific situation. The End of Cruise Survey goes direct to Miami, no on board input or fixes, just Top Management evaluating the ships staff and management’s performance. Again, if you need to really drive a point home, you should write another email/letter to Miami and let them know you expect a response, CC the world of O Executives if that is what you feel it might take to be heard. Yes, we believe Oceania is a Premium cruise line that values its guests but like every organization, is rarely perfect in the eyes of anyone, much less than everyone. We had the privilege of being aboard Vista for the Founders Cruise a few weeks ago and heard Frank Del Rio make the most heart felt presentation at the last night Salute show about his 20+ years of starting Oceania and the commitment of the whole Oceania family to one another and to the guests who make Oceania an amazing cruise experience. We are “Family” and he was sharing from his heart, like a proud father, what it meant as he prepared to “sail into the sunset” of his career in an industry that he loves. As my DW says I talk too much when it comes to talking “O” so I’ll “Drop the Mic” and rest my fingers. 😇👍❤️🛳️ Mauibabes Mauibabes

@meg1021 The experience you had on Insignia should never have happened and we’re sorry it happened at all. I am not aware we are still in a time of such shortages, especially on a cruise that should have been a segment of the ATW. I personally know a GM who has been on Insignia but do not know if it was during your 48 day sailing. She is OUTSTANDING and there is no way she would have tolerated this lack of service. Never stay quiet and “stew”, you have to let the Reception staff or the Housekeeping Manager or the Food and Beverage Director (HM works for the FBD) or directly to the GM. Silence has the effect of tarnishing the normal exceptional reputation and performance of the outstanding Oceania staff, IMHO. We are like ORV, we have been cruising Oceania for over 15 years, approaching 30 cruises with well over 350 days at sea. What you experienced is NOT THE NORM. Oceania CC readers should not discount your experiences but know that there can be problems with service but Oceania is committed to a much higher standard than meg1021 received. Mauibabes

@YourWorldWithBill Bill, not intimating it isn’t good, the Vegetarian Lasagne is very good but we prefer the Lasagne with meat/veal and Bechemel sauce. O’s is an old Italian Gramma’s recipe that we have fallen in love with that is served in Toscana nightly. You can often get the Vegetarian Lasagne in the Terrace Cafe at lunch or at dinner as one of the pasta options. All of the pasta is made fresh so it is good in any restaurant but IMHO, it is always the BEST when served in Toscana. Just ENJOY, Mauibabes

My guess is yes for the pasta plates. Easy way to taste and not over indulge too. Besides that roaming fork going plate to plate at the table among friends is no longer necessary. 😇 Mauibabes

Maybe if people keep the comments going about the umbrellas and suggest the Vista cover option, they will get the message and include it in the refurb. Glad to hear you are having a wonderful time. We had drinks last night with a couple preparing for a B2B on Vista in July/August and the more we talked the more excited they became. Vista is amazing so visit your O Club Ambassador and get booked so you can experience the TC shade 🤪👍 Mauibabes

If I may, the difference all comes under the heading of VALUE and IMHO, you will experience that Oceania value when you have sailed with them. It is not just a number in your checkbook, it is the overall experience. TRY IT, YOU’LL LIKE IT 🤪👍🛳️🍹 We have been “trying it” for over 15 years and continue to come “Home”. 😇 Mauibabes

@Eloise4Ever Ah, simple fix, on your next cruise, try Vista as it is fully covered, no more umbrellas. I would hope when Marina goes in next year for her retrofit, that they will install a similar shade over the TC outdoor dining area. My DW LOVES the Toscana Lasagne, not the vegetarian, so when you get back into Toscana, try even an appetizer portion and let us know what you thought. It is her standard for ALL lasagne 🤪👍. ENJOY Mauibabes

YES. And no you will never run out. If you don’t like the scent of one, ask your Room Steward for one of the others. I have seen three different bottles, green, blue and white topped signifying differences. They are great and you will probably receive enough to take some home for use there. We have them in our guest bathroom. Unless you have a skin condition that requires use of a specific product, trust me, the Bulgari is excellent. Mauibabes

@SATaxman i have never seen a RCCL 500 sq ft Owners Suite like you referenced but I have cruised in an Oceania Suite and it is REALLY NICE! The extra 500 sq ft is a humongous difference when it comes to having friends in for a drink or just sharing your space. Most importantly, you are on a 1200 pax Oceania ship and not some LARGE RCCL ship. Love the location of the O Suite too. While we often sail in a PH which is very close to the size of your 500 ft Owners Suite, if I could get into an Oceania Suite for only an extra $1000, my DW would have her credit card permanently on file with Oceania to book that Suite, it is that good ESPECIALLY if on Vista which we just sailed on. 😇👍 JMHO Pull the trigger and ENJOY, you only live once. Mauibabes

@LHT28 Yes, Founder’s Cruise and yes it was better. I am not that tech savvy but our Apple Tech traveling companion Doug said it was 3-4 times faster👍🤪🙏 The on board tech support guy, Levente, was quite busy offering classes and other assistance to the guests. The second largest nationality on board Vista, US >700, was a group of about 100 from Hong Kong and there was always a room full of people in there with him. To me it is an expanded roll for the Tech beyond one on one Q and A and account set up. I am guessing the service can vary depending on where in the world you are sailing and based on the satellite coverage but all in all, MUCH improved. Looking forward to our October sailing on Vista to test it again in the Caribbean and up the Pacific Coast. Mauibabes

As for Oceania, Starlink debuted on Vista and will be rolled out over the rest of the year on the other ships suggest you contact your TA for any specifics but I have not seen a schedule published yet. Consider it the “old” Wi-Fi and be happy if your cruise and ship have been upgraded to Starlink. Enjoy, Mauibabes.

@Eloise4Ever You definitely have to connect with Graham. This many days into your cruise it is probably too late to join a class but it is great fun. My DW sits in on a class every time we sail with he and Shuna. I bring the 2 for 1 glass of wine to the table for her just so she does not miss Happy Hour. Sometimes I even bring a glass for them as well. They are wonderfully, delightful people and he is an amazing talent. Have a fabulous cruise and don’t let the lack of the perfect cookie get you down. Try a non sugar free cookie in Horizon’s at Tea time, sometimes they have been OK. Like was mentioned a few posts back, a few Double Stuff Oreos would really ease my sweet tooth’s craving, but then that isn’t fitting on O. Keep searching for the chocolate chunk cookies, they are good. Peanut Butter were dry but were OK. Enjoy, Mauibabes

Sirena is an R Class, meaning one of the four Oceania small ships. She will be sailing from a Venice port area and not up inTrieste. Yes, call and talk to a Rep that will give you the answer you need to be in the right place. At least you will be able to fly into Marco Polo Airport and take in the sites of Venice before you embark. Enjoy Sirena and your cruise. Mauibabes

A couple of questions, are you on an R Class ship or Marina or Riviera or Vista? I recall being told at our Vista Meet and Greet that Venice is allowing the R class ships to embark passengers there as opposed to the larger ships having to embark passengers in Trieste. Are you using a TA or booked directly with Oceania? If using a TA, get your answers from them, if not, call Oceania and press them for the answers you need because you must be getting close to sailing. Time’s a wasting. Enjoy your cruise. Mauibabes

@Eloise4ever Don’t give up on O just yet, consider Vista for your next sailing. we had a fantastic time a couple weeks ago and Vista is special. Not Perfect though but certainly the efforts are being made. We have found when there are “issues”, a visit with a Destination Supervisor is helpful. If an issue under the purview of the Food and Beverage Director, talk to him or her, they do listen and take action. If no one is listening, talk to the GM. That may not solve your issue but you always have the Final Survey that goes directly to Miami. The mid cruise survey is handled on the ship only and it is my experience issues are normally handled. They can’t try to fix something if they do not know about it and believe me they do pay attention to the surveys. Don’t let them off the hook. I have even written to VP’s in Miami when we found things “slipping against their standards”. I think some of the responses to your post have hit it on the head. Entertainment has not been a highlight but from what we have recently experienced, it is definitely improving. Yes, many older pax and we don’t all do well with jet lag so an early “turn in” is often on our agenda as opposed to drinks with friends after dinner with music. Enjoy your cruise and if Graham Denison and Shuna are the Artists in Residence, tell them Hello from Bonnie and Gerry Esker. Mauibabes

The cookies are less sweet, NOT UP TO AMERICAN TASTEBUDS because we consume and make things with much more sugar than Europeans and others. Actually I find it the best way to “Diet” on a cruise is to not waste a craving for decadence on an unsweetened cookie. I call it my WW diet trick 🤪😇. I did find a chocolate chunk chip cookie on Vista that was “adequate” to eat along with a cup of Humphrey Slocumb ice cream. Ah the trade offs 👍 Besides my Dr. Said to cut back on the sugars so I will give up my cookies for a really delicious desert at dinner. Just enjoy, Mauibabes

@friendswithdave You will hear from many of the Viking and Celebrity and HAL converts I am sure. Since we have never sailed HAL, we can not compare them but when it comes to value, Oceania is very hard to beat. We brought some friends along for their fist O cruise in 2021 when Oceania resumed sailing on a 3 segment, 36 day cruise on Riviera. Just blown away. The only reason she has gone back on a HAL ship last year is because they “Comped” her cruise. Free is hard to beat 😇 We were just on Vista in a PH, Rome to Trieste, and all we can say it is amazing. If you want to make the move, be advised, you won’t go back. If you try a PH, it will be tough to get your DW into a lesser Stateroom in the future. We are going with a bunch of friends in October, Miami to LA on Vista and I did notice they had both Concierge and PH Staterooms available. It is a great cruise and those rooms are amazing as is the entire ship. There are a lot of pictures on CC and you can see some great video on the O Website. You snooze, you loose so act now. Definitely, Try it you will like it! Mauibabes